Nash Rawiller happy to warm Boban's saddle

By
Adam Pengilly

Feb. 7, 2014, 3 a.m.

Nash Rawiller reckons he might only be ''filling the saddle'' on the resuming Boban, but it is another seat on a Chris Waller excitement machine that is proving a big carrot at the end of the carnival.

Nash Rawiller happy to warm Boban's saddle

Nash Rawiller reckons he might only be ''filling the saddle'' on the resuming Boban, but it is another seat on a Chris Waller excitement machine that is proving a big carrot at the end of the carnival.

While Sydney's autumn makes a hasty start with the group 2 Expressway Stakes card at Randwick, Rawiller does not need reminding what Sydney's premier trainer has in store when the carnival rolls on.

''There's a chance Red Tracer could go overseas [to campaign in Europe] after the carnival, which would be a nice little trip away,'' he said. ''Riding such a good mare, I'm pretty hopeful of going over there and doing Australia proud.

''For now I'm really focused on being a major player [this autumn]. I guess when you're riding well and in the right spot, opportunities like riding Boban come your way. I want to stay fit and well, keep out of trouble and keep riding well.''

Rawiller is in a good position to assess Boban. He nursed Red Tracer in a Rosehill trial last month, almost hitting the line in unison with Boban, which had the suspended Glyn Schofield atop.

''We sort of went to the line together and I felt Red Tracer trialled outstandingly,'' Rawiller said. ''[Boban] seems to have come back as good if not better than ever.

''I'm super excited to have the opportunity to ride him and really looking forward it. The position I'm in, I'll fill the saddle while Glyn's out and if something happens I'll be more than happy to keep the ride.''

Rawiller's only race ride on Boban was a winning one at Warwick Farm on Anzac Day last year, long before the gelding soared from a benchmark-90 handicap to win an Epsom and Emirates Stakes in the one spring campaign.

Boban has never tasted victory over less than 1300 metres, but Rawiller said the 1200m of the Expressway would not be an issue as the four-year-old seeks six straight wins. He has a pretty decent guide on Boban's Expressway rivals, too, having punched out Rain Affair, Moriarty and Howmuchdoyouloveme to stakes success in the past year.

''And I've trialled Carlton House, I've trialled Sizzling,'' Rawiller said. ''I've been on quite a few of them and I should be able to sort out which one is the best one to follow in the run and take it from there.''

If Red Tracer is a mare which can take Rawiller all the way to Europe, he is hoping Gai Waterhouse's Breeders' Plate winner Law can carry him through to the rich Golden Slipper.

The Denman colt resumes as a $1.90 favourite in the two-year-olds' opener at Randwick after a couple of eye-catching trials last month. He is attempting to emulate the trail blazed by Pierro from the Breeders' Plate through to Slipper success two years ago.

''He's a very exciting colt,'' Rawiller said. ''I was really impressed with his first trial and his second trial, if anything, probably felt a little bit flat. He's had plenty of time to get over that and he's really nice and fit. I'm hoping he's a colt that can take me all the way through and we'll find out a little bit more on Saturday.''

Rawiller said Tulloch Lodge also held high hopes for the resuming Our Desert Warrior, which was capable of ''taking his career to the next level''.